"May I interest you in a pushstick?"

I know this may not fit the precise definition of a project but the congeniality of this forum leads me to believe that there is some latitude in the range of topics.

Allow me to introduce Russ , he is a good friend and local woodworker of the highest order, and one of the kindest men we share this planet with. We met a few years back at a local wood working show where he was demonstrating some equipment. I was invited to his shop where I entered into wordworkers heaven, a barn with 2 floors of all of the goodies we think/dream about. You know you are in a good place when there are three bandsaws. From wall to wall and floor to ceiling there is much to see, equipment, fixtures, tools, hardware and lots of wood. Russ is a retired lineman and has been doing wood working for a very long time. He has plenty of loyal customers and is often building cabinets or furniture or whatever they want. He is the local “go to guy” when someone needs something made of wood. Precision is a hallmark of his work.

Now the good part, I have been the recipient of his kindness more times than I can count. Here’s how it works, tell Russ about an idea you have. He will kindly share his experience in that area, loan you a book from his vast llibrary, fish around for the right tool, get the right bit, loan or build you the right fixture, just happen to have some extra hardware and then load you up with some extra wood that would just happens to be right for the project I have often left his place with everything I needed to build a project. If giving was an art meet Michelangelo.

The first thing Russ gave me was a push stick, I think there is a reason he keeps a stack of them available near the exit. I am trying to get him to join LJ as he has much to share and would fit in quite well.

sounds like you’ve made a great friend..we sure would love to have him apart of our home here at jocks..he could add some very welcome knowledge here..what a wonderful way to send someone from your shop…with a great push stick..thanks for sharing your wood worker friend…

thank´s for the story its just great to here about such kindness and freindshipand a very good idea to send people home with a pushstick in the handa real busnesscart you will remember :-)and I second the other please tell him to join L Jit wuold be a pleasure to meat him online

Looks like he is a very busy man …maybe he doesn’t have time to spend online , but we would sure love to hear from him and see what he is building now or has built in the past : )Great shop …thanks for sharing your friend and the photos with us !!

Oh Bliss!Please tell us more about the details in his workshop!For example, Russ is standing in front of his table saw in Pic No3By his right hand is a rearward extension to the table saw guide.What exactly is that, and what’s it for?And what is the gagetry on top of it?More Pictures.. .. Please….Please!

-- I wish I could sell my experience for half the price it has cost me.

Sounds like a great fella. I have a friend who is just about like that as well. I feel bad going to his house and asking him for advice or information because he always hooks me up with something before I leave and I just don’t feel I can ever repay him, and it isn’t just the physical items I can’t repay him for, I just don’t feel I can repay him for the amount of pleasure I get out of knowing such a good guy.

But I know where you are coming from. Knowing people like this is an honor, and it is great to see you have found one of those special people.

-- Got Wood? --- Somewhere along the way the people in Washington forgot that they are there to represent the people, not to rule them.

Sounds like a heck of a guy. Reminds me of this man that lived next to my Grandmother when I was a kid. I used to love to go and just hang out and watch him work. The best part, he would give me scraps to create with and just let me come up with whatever my imagination could dream. His name was Mr. Garrett. The world could use a lot more people like Mr. Garret & Russ.

Cool design for the push sticks. I could see using my favorite Disston saw as a template for the handle.